By Alfred Adams
It was a show of all choral shows when the 16th Angelic Choir, the only professional singing group based on the soil of Sekondi-Takoradi dazzled lovers of choral music to an exceptional choral concert show staged last Sunday at Akroma Plaza, Takoradi. The concert was also accompanied by a full orchestra coming out of the same choir group.
The awesome singing prowess and performances exhibited by the 25 choristers who make up the singing group and the accompanist who was also the Conductor of the show was enough to let the audience who had thronged the venue for the show conclude that the show was indeed ‘mother of all choral shows’ ever staged on the soil of Sekondi-Takoradi.
One thing that the audience could not be very sure of was whether the singing group was indeed two years old with regard to their mastery over singing, voice quality and blending as well as exceptional piano playing. The choral concert show was dubbed ‘16th Around the Word’ and was staged by the group to mark its two year anniversary since its formation in August 2013 by Mr. Joseph Amusah, founder and pianist of the Choral group.
Mr. Joseph Amusah, a graduate from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) who studied music formed the group, the 16th Angelic Choir when he passed out from school. Joseph Amusah, a skillful and talented pianist and a known classical bias pianist groomed the choristers and took them through rigorous and professional voice training and staff reading for a start.
The show was witnessed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Takoradi Constituency, Kobina Okyere Darko, Lawyer Kwesi Quaitoe, Mr. Alfred Kwame Baah, Chief Executive Officer of Kyzz FM amongst others as Special Guest of Honour. In the first part of the show, the group performed Ghanaian choral pieces such as ‘Adanse Kronkron, Asem Deka, Bode interspersed with piano recitals and other African performances such as ‘Thula Thul, Singa Bahamba’.
Piano recital of Volta Fantasy was what got the audience on their feet. The second part of the show which saw the group perform foreign pieces was a delight to watch. The piano recital of Fur Elise, an Austria piece as performed by a powerful loud baritone singer of the choir drew spontaneous applause from the audience as the latter request of the repeat of the performance.
Bright Ladonu, a chorister and critique could not hide his joy than to score the group for an exceptional singing prowess. Bright told this paper, ‘Takoradi has a strong choir in this group’. Later speaking with The Chronicle Entertainment, the founder and pianist of the group, Mr. Joseph Amusah maintained that the group was two years old.
He added that the exceptional singing prowess displayed as evidenced at the show was as a result of commitment, dedication and sacrifice by choristers who make up the Choir. It is said that none of the choristers who make up the choir was ever a professional singer anywhere but the hard work of Joseph Amusah has turned the choristers into stars now as people are thronging to go for audition in other to join the choir.